Child Soldiers: Tropes of Innocence and Terror

The image of child soldiers has dramatically shifted over time. In the past, child soldiers were often celebrated as symbols of virtue and patriotism, as seen with figures like Andrew Jackson. However, modern views portray them as tragic victims of war, embodying a stark contrast between childhood i...

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Main Author: David Rosen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Ledizioni 2013-10-01
Series:Antropologia
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.ledijournals.com/ojs/index.php/antropologia/article/view/200
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author David Rosen
author_facet David Rosen
author_sort David Rosen
collection DOAJ
description The image of child soldiers has dramatically shifted over time. In the past, child soldiers were often celebrated as symbols of virtue and patriotism, as seen with figures like Andrew Jackson. However, modern views portray them as tragic victims of war, embodying a stark contrast between childhood innocence and the brutal realities of conflict. This change reflects broader social shifts in the understanding of childhood, family authority, and state power. The challenge today lies in reconciling the idealized notions of childhood with the harsh empirical realities faced by child soldiers in contemporary warfare.
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institution Matheson Library
issn 2281-4043
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spelling doaj-art-bc12d35f6eba4984b5a14b1d8192471b2025-07-19T17:51:48ZengLedizioniAntropologia2281-40432420-84692013-10-011610.14672/ada2013200%p171Child Soldiers: Tropes of Innocence and TerrorDavid Rosen0Fairleigh Dickinson UniversityThe image of child soldiers has dramatically shifted over time. In the past, child soldiers were often celebrated as symbols of virtue and patriotism, as seen with figures like Andrew Jackson. However, modern views portray them as tragic victims of war, embodying a stark contrast between childhood innocence and the brutal realities of conflict. This change reflects broader social shifts in the understanding of childhood, family authority, and state power. The challenge today lies in reconciling the idealized notions of childhood with the harsh empirical realities faced by child soldiers in contemporary warfare. https://www.ledijournals.com/ojs/index.php/antropologia/article/view/200child soldierswarfareanthropologyhistory
spellingShingle David Rosen
Child Soldiers: Tropes of Innocence and Terror
Antropologia
child soldiers
warfare
anthropology
history
title Child Soldiers: Tropes of Innocence and Terror
title_full Child Soldiers: Tropes of Innocence and Terror
title_fullStr Child Soldiers: Tropes of Innocence and Terror
title_full_unstemmed Child Soldiers: Tropes of Innocence and Terror
title_short Child Soldiers: Tropes of Innocence and Terror
title_sort child soldiers tropes of innocence and terror
topic child soldiers
warfare
anthropology
history
url https://www.ledijournals.com/ojs/index.php/antropologia/article/view/200
work_keys_str_mv AT davidrosen childsoldierstropesofinnocenceandterror